Planning commission approves South Hill Bistro’s alcohol permit with no-exterior-signage condition

The Midway City Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit and local consent for South Hill Bistro, allowing the restaurant at 23 North Holly Lane to serve alcohol under a restaurant license, with the condition that no alcohol-related signage be visible from the exterior or from Main Street.

Michael, planning staff, explained the proposal is for a restaurant alcohol license (which requires food sales and compliance with state licensing rules) and said the city’s analysis found no conflicts with state distance requirements from parks or schools. “There has to be food sold for anybody buying a drink,” he said when describing the restaurant license rules.

Staff reviewed the seven conditional-use findings required by the code and recommended approval with one condition: prohibiting alcohol-related signage visible from the exterior (consistent with recent Midway permits). Staff also noted that special events (for example, a temporary beer garden) would require city permits and state approval.

The applicant representative, Dan (joining by Zoom), told the commission the service concept will be largely breakfast-and-lunch oriented rather than a dinner or bar operation. “The purpose of this alcohol license is… largely intended to be open for breakfast and lunch and not dinner,” he said, adding that the chef has a medical reason for avoiding alcohol and has developed notable nonalcoholic beverages.

A commissioner moved to accept the staff report, adopt the listed findings, and impose the no-signage condition; the motion was seconded and passed. The applicant must still secure the appropriate state restaurant alcohol license and comply with all state requirements administered by the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services before selling alcohol on site.

The commission’s approval includes standard CUP provisions on noise, lighting and event permitting and does not eliminate state licensing or any future local permits required for special events.